17:05 Newbury

Saturday 26 October 2019

All13:4014:2014:5015:2015:5516:3017:0517:35

Victoria Club Lady Jockeys' Handicap (Lady Amateur Riders) (Div 1)

4YO plus | Class 5 | 1m 4f | 9 Runners | Turf

(2)

Age: 5| Weight: 10-10| J: Miss Brodie Hampson| T: A Watson| OR: 73

Has thrived since joining Archie Watson earlier this year (1221221) and clearly goes extremely well for Brodie Hampson; has no issues with track or ground, but this 1m4f trip is a different matter; 5lb rise for a recent Musselburgh (1m1f) win.

Form: 212219

(8)

Albert's Back²⁴⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 10-6| J: Joanna Mason| T: M & D Easterby| OR: 69

Hasn't raced on the Flat since finishing last of eight at Ripon (1m4f, soft) in September 2017; 2-3 over hurdles in the meantime; absent again since a promising run at Newcastle (second) in February; low-mileage; market helpful.

Form: 66378/

(9)

Eddiemaurice²⁰⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 10-5| J: Miss Imogen Mathias⁽⁵⁾| T: J L Flint| OR: 68

5lb lower than when last racing on the Flat at Salisbury (1m6f) in May 2018; most productive over hurdles and fences since (2-7), forging ahead close home in a 2m1f novices' handicap chase at Ascot (good) in March; first start for 209 days.

Form: 4142/04-

(10)

Gawdawpalin¹²³

Age: 6| Weight: 10-4| J: Miss Serena Brotherton| T: S Kirk| OR: 67| D

No win since July 2017 (1m4f, Ascot) but does have the benefit of having Serena Brotherton aboard; twice placed in three runs on turf this season (all here at Newbury); others more convincing.

Form: 590033

(7)

Peace Prevails^p⁶⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 10-3| J: Miss S Stevens⁽⁷⁾| T: J R Boyle| OR: 66| D

Has risen a combined total of 12lb in the weights since July, courtesy of three wins over 1m4f at Epsom (on good/good to firm) - beat Mullarkey by ½L latest; hasn't raced on ground described as soft since 2017 (and never on heavy).

Form: 441311

(5)

Roudrapour³²³

Age: 4| Weight: 10-2| J: Miss S L Bowen⁽³⁾| T: A W Carroll| OR: 65

Maiden (0-7); didn't appear to take to hurdling and reverts to the Flat off a 323-day absence; competes from the same mark as when finishing a staying on third of 13 to Unblinking at Kempton (2m) last November.

Form: 7/44753-

(4)

Marengo^b²⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 10-1| J: Miss Jessica Llewellyn⁽⁵⁾| T: B J Llewellyn| OR: 64| D

Chepstow (3 wins) and Chester (2 wins) specialist; 6lb lower than when beaten ¾L by Super Kid on the Roodeye in July (1m4f, soft); lacked any real sparkle back there four weeks ago and the percentage call is too oppose.

Form: 293437

(6)

Bird For Life^p²³

Age: 5| Weight: 9-7| J: Miss Lily Jones⁽⁷⁾| T: M D I Usher| OR: 51| D

A four-time AW winner (4-28), including over 2m at Wolverhampton in July; is yet to show much in the way of worthwhile form on turf (0-7), and is rated 17lb lower than on synthetics as a result; look elsewhere.

Form: 521304

(3)

Affair^t1¹⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 9-7| J: Miss Sophie Smith⁽⁵⁾| T: H Morrison| OR: 46| D

Beaten approximately 3L in this race last year (finished third to War Brigade); is able to compete from a 10lb lower mark as a result of a string of moderate performances in 2019; can a first-time tongue-tie spark a revival?

Form: 467906

Non-Runners

(1)

Duke Of Alba²²

Weight: 9-13| Age: 4

T: J Mackie J: Non Runner

Forecasts

Luna Magic (5/2), Peace Prevails (10/3), Gawdawpalin (9/2), Eddiemaurice (15/2), Albert's Back (10/1), Duke Of Alba (10/1), Roudrapour (11/1), Bird For Life (14/1), Marengo (16/1), Affair (16/1)

A number of these horses can be given a chance from a handicapping perspective, not least last year's third Affair, although given their current level of performances a sharp intake of breath would be required. Both Peace Prevails and Luna Magic simply can't be knocked, with the latter proving a revelation since joining Archie Watson (and teaming up with Brodie Hampson). However, with respective ground and trip questions to be answered there's undoubtedly more value elsewhere. Therefore, for a small each-way stake a chance is taken on the Mick Easterby-trained ALBERT'S BACK who is 2 from 3 over hurdles since last running on the Flat in 2017.